Recently, I have been pondering how Jesus led His life on earth as I seek to know Him more personally. I was then brought to my remembrance an interesting observation from a book I read in the past. During the cross examination of Jesus by Pilate just before His crucification, Pilate asked Jesus who He was and He answered in the manner recorded in John 18 : 37.
John 18:37, “Pilate therefore said to Him, “Are You a king then?”
Jesus answered, “You say rightly that I am a king. For this cause I was born, and for this cause I have come into the world, that I should bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice.””
Jesus knew the purpose he was born and this struck fear to Pilate. Thereafter, the scriptures mentioned repeatedly that Pilate clarifies that he seek no fault in Jesus. Men may declare that they are being called to the ministry while God leads their way. However it is a different paradigm when a person knew what he was born to do. Jesus knew WHY He was born. To be sacrificed and to die for mankind’s sin. Not only that, He knew WHEN His execution would happen as He gave His last words to His disciples during the last supper; and HOW He was going to die as He prayed out sorrowfully with blood of sweats at the Garden of Gethsemane.
Luke 22:44, “And being in agony, He prayed more earnestly. Then His sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground.”
Recently I saw a documentary which states that the crucification of criminals on the cross is exhibited in every Roman city as a reminder to the people of the sovereignty of the Roman Empire as well as to strike fear into any dissidents who attempt to disrupt the peace. It must have been a terrifying sight to behold.
This is also a sobering thought to me. I can imagine if a cancer patient was given the report that he would not live beyond the next 3 months, I could almost guarantee that there is no single day he would go by without thinking of when that day would come. Even for a healthy person to know that he would die 3 years later due to whatever reasons, he would probably stop working and spend all his savings and time to enjoy his remaining years but the thought of that day would doubtlessly linger with him every single day. In such situation, depression could creep in easily. I would reckon Jesus will be highly challenged in such circumstances too.
Although it was not mentioned in the bible at which stage of His life did Jesus know His purpose and kind of death He will experience. Jesus started His ministry at the age of 30 and crucified at the age of 33. This means that He knew He would die young. Nevertheless, Jesus, who possessed a divine nature but living in flesh, was able to live His life with joy and even impart life to the people around Him as He preach, teach, heal and socialize with the people around Him. Even though Jesus is anointed beyond measure, He is essentially operating as a human being and this is truly amazing and beyond comprehension.
Personally I believe one of the many reasons Jesus prayed so much was also to draw strength from God through the Holy Spirit. To keep Him focus on His ministry and to keep fear and thoughts of depression away.
Jesus source of joy, strength and perseverance is a lesson that we can draw parallel to as we go through our challenges in life. We need to learn to draw strength from God, to fight the good fight of faith. With the challenges we face in this modern society, can it get any worse than knowing you will experience a suffering death and at a young age like what Jesus went through?
2 Timothy 4:7, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.”
Steve
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